Bond, Colorado  Returning for its fifth year of music and fundraising, The Realm of Music festival is floating downriver for 2011, relocating to the newly revamped State Bridge Riverside Amphitheater.

This year’s festival, headlined by Jerry Joseph and the Jackmormons and The Drew Emmitt Band, will attract some of the best talent from around the region and serve as a fundraiser for the Realm of Caring, a non-profit organization that works to provide musical opportunities for schoolchildren. The festival will also host Who’s Bad, a Michael Jackson tribute band, Missed the Boat, Bonfire Dub, Liza’s Gogo Lab, The Sessh and Shakedown Street, among others.

“What has stuck out in my mind at the various venues where this thing has taken place is the embodiment of people through the realm of music,” said Realm’s founder Chris Davis, who also serves as president for the Realm of Caring organization. “It’s a safe place for adults, kids and families to gather.

“This year, as in past years, through the non-profit element, it’s all about the kids. Music has the right to children: That’s the whole premise behind this festival.”

The Realm of Music Festival is not for profit, which is one of the reasons musicians enjoy playing it. Liza Oxnard, for one, is excited to be bringing her latest project, Liza’s Gogo Lab, to State Bridge, where she has so many fond memories.

“I’ve been interested in more electronic music for a long time. [Liza’s Gogo Lab] is atmospheric, funky and danceable,” Oxnard said. “We used to have the most epic shows out at State Bridge before the fire. We played there several years in the summertime and the place was always packed — full of fun energy, away from city and away from town, which is why I think people like it. With the bikers and rafters rolling through, it’s just a really fun destination and a fun place to play.”

Realm headliners

Co-headlining the festival, Jerry Joseph is constantly on the road with his power rock band, Jerry Joseph & the Jackmormons. He also writes and tours with his side project, the Stockholm Syndrome, a band he fronts with Dave Schools, Eric McFadden, Wally Ingram and Danny Dzuik.

Also headlining the festival and revered as one of the most energetic and innovative mandolin players on the jamgrass scene, is Drew Emmitt.

Following a decade of success with Leftover Salmon, Emmitt released his first solo effort, “Freedom Ride,” in 2002 drawing on the talent of peers John Cowan, Peter Rowan, Sam Bush and Ronnie McCoury. Critics and fans loved the collaboration and Emmitt relished the chance to record with some of the giants with whom he has shared festival stages.

Michael Jackson Tribute band will perform Saturday night. Formed in January of 2004, Who’s Bad have since played over 700 shows in numerous countries and boast the title, “The Ultimate Michael Jackson Tribute Band.” Their live performance is a musical extravaganza that spans four decades of Michael Jackson’s music career.

From the Vail Valley, Bonfire Dub will also play Saturday evening. And representing Steamboat Springs, local favorites Missed The Boat building on the leadership groups like Leftover Salmon and The String Cheese Incident for a sound that is uniquely Colorado. The six-piece group incorporates guitar, electric bass, mandolin, banjo, dobro, harmonica and full drum kit.

“It’s certainly not traditional bluegrass,” said Missed The Boat guitarist Ryan Cox. “We play some more traditional tunes and a lot of our original material is in the bluegrass style, but I would say we trend toward the more jam-grass, Leftover (Salmon) sound.”